Tag: composite roofing

Roofs prevent water leaks, mold build up, and rotten wood, but fixing them is major home repair work. The longer you postpone fixing your roof, the bigger the problem is bound to get. Moreover, purchasing a brand new roof can be very costly, so make sure to address any issues as soon as they arise.

Since roofs can be made from a variety of materials, each type comes with its own set of problems. Common roof materials include asphalt shingles, wood shake, metal roofing, foam, slate, and composite roofing.

While shingle roofs are generally easy to repair, roofs made of slate or tile are much more difficult and more expensive. For example, fixing slate can cost twice as much as asphalt. Foam, wood, and tile roofs are also quite expensive to repair, so contact your roofing company from Fredericksburg VA as soon as you spot an issue.

Materials and problems

Slate roofs must always be installed by a contractor with slate experience. Otherwise, you risk ending up with an improperly installed roof that can cause leakage problems, particularly if the nails holding on the tiles are driven too tightly, forcing the edge to stick up and allow water in.

However, even a properly installed slate roof may cause water infiltration, since any ice that builds up on your roof can only melt into your ceiling.

If you live in an area with high winds and want to have a foam roof installed, make sure the roof undergoes proper cleaning, otherwise the foam will pull up when the wind begins to blow.

Wood roofs are prone to insect damage and moss buildup. The solution would be to get a cedar shake for your roof, as insects cannot thrive on this type of wood. As for the moss buildup, the best way to avoid it would be to build your home in a sunny area; too much shade can have a negative effect on your wood roof.

Tile roofing is also quite expensive to fix, especially since water escapes underneath the tiles from the very beginning because of the design of the roof itself. Leaks can also occur if tiles slide off or become cracked – this exposes the underlayment, which can lead to leaks. An underlayment made from galvanized steel can corrode and allow water through the holes and into the attic.

Composite shingles are lightweight, but can sustain extensive damage from high winds, losing entire sections of shingles. Even when they don’t fall off, composite shingles tend to lift up and allow water beneath. So, if you see the stone granules coming off easily, you know it is time to replace those composite shingles.

Finally, the biggest issue with metal roofs is loose or missing fasteners. Thus, when you remove these, regardless of reason, but forget to seal the spot or seal it improperly, water can easily leak through and cause damage. Fasteners and even seams can also become loose in time, with the same costly result for your budget.